Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/1037

 JUSTICE— FINANCE — DEFENCE — PRODUCTION, ETC. 985

annually, t>ut the educational system is itill very imperfect, e»pecially in rural districts. In 1910 education was made compulsory. In 1918 there were 854 primary schools with 61,956 pupils ; 29 secondary schools with 4,816 pupils; 1 normal school ; a school of law and one of medicine, with 102 students.

Justice.

Justice is administered hj a Court of Cassation and by lower courts. All the judges are nominated by the President and are irremovable.

Finance.

The revenue of Haiti is derived almost exclusively from customs, paid in American gold on exports and imports. The largest portion of the expen- diture is for debt charges.

The following table shows the revenue and expenditure for two years : —

Revenue Expenditure

U.S. Gold dollars

Currency U.S. gourdes Gold dollars

Currency gourdes

1917-18

1018-19

2,639,008

.-.,110,930

1,914 -2,010,175

3.003,968 -2.349,880

4,534,121

.07'.

On December 31, 1919, the debt consisted of gold loans amounting to 149,894,087 Irancs The internal debt amounts to 2,918,080 dollars. The total interest of the foreign debt now due is 28,417,632 francs.

Defence.

An armed constabulary (Gendarmerie d'Haiti), both urban and rural, was instituted in 1916. The officers are drawn from the United States Marine Corps. The establishment consists of 110 officers and 2,688 non- commissioned officers and men. A coastguard service of one armed auxiliary scliooner is attached to the constabulary. The reserve troops consistiug of the former 'Guard of the Government' and old line regiments, have r.a effective of 19,128 men.

Production and Commerce.

The industries of Haiti are mainly agricultural, and the most important product is coffee of excellent quality, but the export duty (3 cents gold per lb. ) is so considerable as to hamper the development of its cultivation. Cocoa is grown extensively and cotton is exported in increasing quantities. The cultivation of tobacco is extending, and a cigar and cigarette factory is successful. Sugar is likewise grown, and there are 4 sugar-makinc establishments. An extensive sugar central, founded with American capital" has been constructed near Port-au Prince. Rum and other spirits are distilled but not exported : the rum is of a superior quality. Logwood is an important product, and other valuable woods are now exported. Cattle breeding is neglected.

Haiti possesses considerable mineral resources quite undeveloped. Gold,